Christmas!

      What is Christmas what makes it so special? I have heard lots of different answers to this question. Some people think it’s the presents, the Christmas tree and Christmas lights. The big Christmas dinner and the family get together. The laughter and joy the story telling and Christmas caroling. All of these things are nice but I think we often forget the real meaning of Christmas the reason this day is so special. It’s Jesus birthday. Luck 2:11 (for unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior which is Christ the lord.) Christmas is supos to be about Jesus birthday but through the years it seems that he has been forgotten. Lets try to remember the true meaning of Christmas this year

                                 JESUS  IS   THE  REASON  FOR   THE   SEASON !

entertaining strangers

      In Hebrews 13:2 it says (be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.) God doesn’t want us to turn people away who come knocking on our door, we are to feed them give them drink and a place to rest. On my trip from Pennsylvania to Arkansas there were several families who took us in when we had no were to go. They didn’t ask what’s in it for me? They just gave us a place to rest and food to eat. They helped us without thinking about what they might get out of it. That’s what God want all of us do to. Help those who need it. You never know who you might be helping.

light of the world

Jesus is the light of the world! As Christians we are to let our light shine our light is Jesus Christ. In Matthew 5:16 is says ( let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven.) We are to let Jesus shine through us so that others may see him in us. We are to be the guiding light in a world of darkness a light that leads others to Christ through our actions and our words. We should proudly let our light shine for Jesus not hid it. I am reminded of the song this little light of mine.

This little light of mine

                                                                     I’m going to let is shine
 

Hid it under a bush well no!

                                                                     I’m going to let is shine
 

Don’t let saten blow it out

                                                   I’m going to let is shine, let is shine, let it shine!

  Don’t be afraid to let your light shine let Jesus shine through you so that others may see him in you!

 

forgiveness

      Forgiveness is such a sweet word, and a beautiful feeling. To forgive someone or to be forgiven can be so rewarding and uplifting. Is says in Matthew 6:14-15 (For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:    But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your father forgive your trespasses.)  We are all sinners who need forgiveness. To deny someone forgiveness only hurts us. We are to forgive others who have wronged us as Jesus or Heavenly father has forgiven us. We should forgive someone who has wronged us weather they ask for it or not. If our Heavenly Father can forgive all our sins who are we to deny forgiveness to anyone?.

Glorifying God

        I Corinthians 10:31 says (Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.)  That doesn’t mean just the thing we think are important but everything we do. No matter how small the task may be we are to do it all to the glory of God.  We should wake up in the morning with joyful hearts ready to serve God in all that we do, Ready to do the best we can to put out every effort to do our job to the glory of God. No cutting corners no slacking off, no grumbling and complaining, Just thankfulness and joy just praise and glory to God. No matter what we are doing whether it is something simple like making breakfast or cleaning the house we are to do it all to the glory of God! When you go through your day I want you to ask yourself am I doing this to the glory of God? Is what I’m doing or how I’m doing it glorifying to God?

we do all things through Christ

    Phillipians 4:13 says ( I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me.) we can do all things through Christ. All of our accomplishments were done though Jesus Christ. So many times we get in the habit of saying “I did this” and “I accomplished that.” We forget that we can only do it though Jesus. He gives us the power and strength.  We tend to forget that God is behind everything that we do when things are going smoothly, However when there’s a bump in the road we are humbly brought back down to remember that we do all things through Christ. How could we ever forget something so wonderful?!

God never changes!

        As we go through life we make many changes. We change from a child into an adult. We change the way we dress, the way we act, and we change our minds more times than we can count! But God never changes! Hebrews 13:8 (Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.) he stays the same every day. God is the same now as he was 100 years ago. Isn’t it wonderful to know that God stays the same day after day! We don’t have to worry that he is ever going to change. He is the same powerful loving merciful God day after day.

God is our Refuge and Strength

This year has been full of trials for me. Through it all I just kept repeating Psalms 46:1 (God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present help in trouble.) What a comfort it is to know that God is our refuge the place we can turn to for shelter and protection. How comforting to know That God will wrap his arms around us and protect us from harm. He is our Refuge and Strength.

      We have no strength on our own our strength comes from God. We are weak but he is strong! All we have to do is lean on him and he will give us strength.  Psalms 28:1 says ( The lord is my strength and my shield, My heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.) my Heart is rejoicing knowing my strength comes for the Lord!

      The last part of Psalms 46:1 says he is a very present help in trouble. I am glad to know that God will always be there to help me when I need him. To know that he is my help in troubled times is such a comfort.  Psalms 46:1 has been a verse of great comfort because is constantly reminds me that No matter what God is there for me He is my Refuge and strength.

Our Body is a Temple of the Holy Ghost

              I Corinthians 6: 19-20 says (What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?   For ye are bought with a price: Therefore Glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.)  We as Christians need to remember that our body is a temple. I cringe when I see women wearing shorts that barely cover there buttocks, and shirts that show their bellies or cleavage. I am not a fan of tattoos on a man or a woman. I don’t believe that a man should have his ear pierced or any other part of his body; However I don’t think there is anything wrong with a women having pierced ears, but that’s all, I don’t think any other part of the body should have piercings.  We are to Glorify God in our body.  Tattoos and piercings are not glorifying to God.

     

         When we ask God to come into our lives and into our hearts to live we are giving God our body we need to glorify God in the way we dress. That means for us Women that we need to wear shirts that cover our bodies and Shorts or skirts that come down at least close to our knees. I don’t think a woman should have her nose pierced or eyebrow pierced or any other part or her body other than her ears. But even that I think should be limited. I have seen women with pierced all the way up there ears I don’t believe that this is glorifying to God. Men I don’t think you should stain your bodies with tattoos nor have piercings of any kind.

 

       Our Bodies are temples they are something Holy and precious.  We are to take care of them to keep them healthy as well as clean and well dressed. Sometimes that means watching what we eat or exercising to keep off that extra weight.  What are bodies are like on the inside is just as important as how they are on the outside.

    Next time you pick out your clothing to wear or think about getting a tattoo or a piercing think about your body being a temple of the Holy Ghost and ask yourself is this glorifying to God?

Being Thankful

            November is such a wonderful time of year. The leaves are turning beautiful colors letting us know fall is hear. It’s also the month of Thanksgiving. I have had many people tell me that they have a tradition on Thanksgiving to name one thing they are thankful for. This was also a tradition at my house when I was young. But why should we only give thanks for the things we have on thanksgiving why not be thankful for at least one thing every day. In Ephesians 5:20 it says (Give thanks always for all things unto God and the father in the name of Jesus Christ.) The bible tells us to give thanks always not just one day out of the year. We get so caught up in all the things we don’t have all the things we want we forget about the things we do have. I don’t know about you but I have many things to be thankful for, I have a roof over my head, clothes to wear, and food to eat. A husband who loves me, and a family who is always there for me. Those are just the big things what about all the little things we have we forget about. I am thankful for my animals, a vehicle to drive, a couch to sit in, a computer. I am sure given some time I could think of a lot more.  I would like to challenge you to think of at least one thing every day you are thankful for. See how it changes your life to start remembering all you have and stop worrying about the things you don’t.